Sergeant, 483rd Bomb Squadron, 505th Bomb Group, 20th Air Force, World War II.
Right Gunner aboard B-29-25-BA Superfortress #42-63549, nicknamed "Empire Express." While over the target area of Usa airfield, was rammed by a twin-engine Japanese fighter and crashed into Hachiman Mountain, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan. Eight crewmembers were killed and three survived by parachuting out, but were captured by the Japanese and later executed in Fukuoka, Japan, on June 20, 1945.
The crewmembers were:
1st Lt. James W McKillip, O-802212, IN, Pilot
2nd Lt. John Y Lambert Jr, O-777715, CA, Co-Pilot
2nd Lt. Norman S Siegel, O-710334, IL, Navigator
2nd Lt. Harley T Hammerman, O-773374, MO, Bombardier
T/Sgt. Edgar L McElfresh Jr, 35412786, OH, Flight Engineer
S/Sgt. Albert A Yokubonis, 33187219, PA, Radio Operator
S/Sgt. Lewis C Balser Jr, 31430817, MA, Radar
S/Sgt. Otto W Baumgarten, Otto W Baumgarten, 16140266, WI, Right Gunner
Sgt. William E Beckman, 17088695, CO, Tail Gunner
T/Sgt. Vernon L Galyardt, 37000153, KS, CFC Gunner
Sgt. Ralph S Romines, 34923629, TN, Left Gunner
Otto was executed by the Japanese on June 20, 1945. Because his body or ashes could not be recovered or identified, his name is placed on the Tablets of the Missing.
~
Enlisted at Ft. Sheridan, Illinois, February 3, 1944.
Right Gunner aboard B-29-25-BA Superfortress #42-63549, nicknamed "Empire Express." While over the target area of Usa airfield, was rammed by a twin-engine Japanese fighter and crashed into Hachiman Mountain, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan. Eight crewmembers were killed and three survived by parachuting out, but were captured by the Japanese and later executed in Fukuoka, Japan, on June 20, 1945.
The crewmembers were:
1st Lt. James W McKillip, O-802212, IN, Pilot
2nd Lt. John Y Lambert Jr, O-777715, CA, Co-Pilot
2nd Lt. Norman S Siegel, O-710334, IL, Navigator
2nd Lt. Harley T Hammerman, O-773374, MO, Bombardier
T/Sgt. Edgar L McElfresh Jr, 35412786, OH, Flight Engineer
S/Sgt. Albert A Yokubonis, 33187219, PA, Radio Operator
S/Sgt. Lewis C Balser Jr, 31430817, MA, Radar
S/Sgt. Otto W Baumgarten, Otto W Baumgarten, 16140266, WI, Right Gunner
Sgt. William E Beckman, 17088695, CO, Tail Gunner
T/Sgt. Vernon L Galyardt, 37000153, KS, CFC Gunner
Sgt. Ralph S Romines, 34923629, TN, Left Gunner
Otto was executed by the Japanese on June 20, 1945. Because his body or ashes could not be recovered or identified, his name is placed on the Tablets of the Missing.
~
Enlisted at Ft. Sheridan, Illinois, February 3, 1944.
Sergeant, 483rd Bomb Squadron, 505th Bomb Group, 20th Air Force, World War II.
Right Gunner aboard B-29-25-BA Superfortress #42-63549, nicknamed "Empire Express." While over the target area of Usa airfield, was rammed by a twin-engine Japanese fighter and crashed into Hachiman Mountain, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan. Eight crewmembers were killed and three survived by parachuting out, but were captured by the Japanese and later executed in Fukuoka, Japan, on June 20, 1945.
The crewmembers were:
1st Lt. James W McKillip, O-802212, IN, Pilot
2nd Lt. John Y Lambert Jr, O-777715, CA, Co-Pilot
2nd Lt. Norman S Siegel, O-710334, IL, Navigator
2nd Lt. Harley T Hammerman, O-773374, MO, Bombardier
T/Sgt. Edgar L McElfresh Jr, 35412786, OH, Flight Engineer
S/Sgt. Albert A Yokubonis, 33187219, PA, Radio Operator
S/Sgt. Lewis C Balser Jr, 31430817, MA, Radar
S/Sgt. Otto W Baumgarten, Otto W Baumgarten, 16140266, WI, Right Gunner
Sgt. William E Beckman, 17088695, CO, Tail Gunner
T/Sgt. Vernon L Galyardt, 37000153, KS, CFC Gunner
Sgt. Ralph S Romines, 34923629, TN, Left Gunner
Otto was executed by the Japanese on June 20, 1945. Because his body or ashes could not be recovered or identified, his name is placed on the Tablets of the Missing.
~
Enlisted at Ft. Sheridan, Illinois, February 3, 1944.
Right Gunner aboard B-29-25-BA Superfortress #42-63549, nicknamed "Empire Express." While over the target area of Usa airfield, was rammed by a twin-engine Japanese fighter and crashed into Hachiman Mountain, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan. Eight crewmembers were killed and three survived by parachuting out, but were captured by the Japanese and later executed in Fukuoka, Japan, on June 20, 1945.
The crewmembers were:
1st Lt. James W McKillip, O-802212, IN, Pilot
2nd Lt. John Y Lambert Jr, O-777715, CA, Co-Pilot
2nd Lt. Norman S Siegel, O-710334, IL, Navigator
2nd Lt. Harley T Hammerman, O-773374, MO, Bombardier
T/Sgt. Edgar L McElfresh Jr, 35412786, OH, Flight Engineer
S/Sgt. Albert A Yokubonis, 33187219, PA, Radio Operator
S/Sgt. Lewis C Balser Jr, 31430817, MA, Radar
S/Sgt. Otto W Baumgarten, Otto W Baumgarten, 16140266, WI, Right Gunner
Sgt. William E Beckman, 17088695, CO, Tail Gunner
T/Sgt. Vernon L Galyardt, 37000153, KS, CFC Gunner
Sgt. Ralph S Romines, 34923629, TN, Left Gunner
Otto was executed by the Japanese on June 20, 1945. Because his body or ashes could not be recovered or identified, his name is placed on the Tablets of the Missing.
~
Enlisted at Ft. Sheridan, Illinois, February 3, 1944.
Inscription
SGT - 483 BOMB SQ 505 BOMB GP (VH) - WIS
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